FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Showcase Cinemas West, formerly owned by National Amusements Theaters, has been bought by a Dallas-based theater company that plans to change its name, boost its digital technology and make other improvements over time.

The deal to buy the South Graham Road cinema and 31 others around the country was crafted in December but a period of joint ownership has occurred and the full roll-out won’t be complete until this summer, said Jeremy Devine, vice president of marketing for Rave Motion Pictures.

The Flint Township’s location is being renamed Rave Motion Pictures Flint West 14. Performances and theater run times are now available online at ravemotionpictures.com, Devine said on Friday.

“We are beginning to change the internal signage in the theater, but slowly,” Devine said. “The outside signage won’t appear until June or so.”

The company, which markets itself as the nation’s fifth largest theater exhibition chain, has two other Michigan locations, the RMP Cityplace 14 in Kalamazoo and RC Ann Arbor 20 in Ypsilanti.

Rave Motion Pictures has ties to a 10-year-old Dallas company named Rave Reviews which had 30 theaters nationwide. The new company formed in December 2009 when it purchased 32 other cinemas, most from National Amusements Theaters.

“As far as how we assimilate all those buildings, it will be a gradual process,” Devine added. “We’re doing an inventory.''

He also could not say when or whether building upgrades or exterior improvements would occur at the Flint Township building.

Devine said the company is committed to new technologies and was the first theater group to convert 100 percent of its theater screens to digital from 35 mm.

Until Dec. 17, customers can expect to have their National Amusements Theaters gift cards honored at the former Showcase Cinemas West, Devine added. Customers can also convert them to Rave cards for future use.

One change movie-goers have seen is at the concession stand, he said. The new company uses Coke products over Pepsi. They also feature new “concession combos” but free refills are only available on large-size purchases.

The company is privately held and didn’t disclose sales details about the transaction.

Among its board members is a former 30-year Disney Studios Motion Picture executive, Mark Zoradi, who’s worked for the Disney Channel and Walt Disney Home Video. Its CEO is Tom Stephenson, who helped start the company in 2000, after serving as CEO of Hollywood Theaters.

Rave theaters are known for 18-inch riser seating, giant wall-to-wall wide screens, and digital features for expanded 3-D film viewing.

“Rave has always been known for being very consumer friendly and so we want to bring that culture to Flint,” he added. “We’re certainly going to try and hopefully make it a good place to see movies.”